U. of I. graduate instructors threaten to strike

November 12, 2009

SPRINGFIELD -- In a protest outside the University of Illinois board meeting this morning, graduate student instructors from the Urbana-Champaign campus threatened to strike Monday if they do not reach a contract with the administration. The next negotiating session between the Graduate Employees' Organization and the administration is set for Saturday afternoon.

The union's previous contract expired in August. Graduate students teach about 23 percent of undergraduate course hours, according to the union. About half of the 2,700 graduate instructors are members of the union.

"The impact (of a strike) would be absolutely enormous," said Kerry Pimblott, a Ph.D. student in history and lead negotiator for the union. "We have the ability to shut down instruction in the major survey courses."

About 70 people attended the rally in Springfield, while students also rallied on the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign campuses. The union is looking for an increase in the minimum wage to $16,086, up from $13,430, for a 9-month salary at 20 hours a week. They also want a commitment that the university will continue covering the students' tuition.

The union said that 92 percent of its members have voted to strike.

Interim provost Bob Easter said in an e-mail to faculty, students and staff earlier this week that the GEO's wage request was "untenable."

"As you know, other employees of the University did not receive raises this year, and the state's economic situation may yet require furloughs and other cost-saving measures before the end of the fiscal year," Easter wrote.